ISSUE FOCUS 42 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2025 For instance, phytotechnology offers promising avenues to enhance metabolic efficiency, support liver function, and promote lean muscle development. It can play a role in modulating inflammation, improving calcium metabolism for better bone health, and fine-tuning immune responses. In addition, regulating feed intake, supporting respiratory function, and skin integrity and barrier function are areas under study. By targeting these physiological domains, PhytoComplexes provide a holistic and multifaceted approach to animal nutrition. Rather than addressing symptoms or isolated challenges, they work to strengthen the animal’s overall resilience. This shift in perspective — from treating problems to proactively supporting the animal — marks a significant evolution in how we apply plant-based solutions in modern livestock production. It’s about adding targeted, functional support that helps animals thrive in increasingly complex production environments. EMBRACING COMPLEXITY TO EMPOWER RESILIENCE As livestock production continues to evolve within an increasingly complex landscape, phytotechnology offers a science-based, forward-looking approach to support animal health and performance. By embracing the complexity of plant-derived compounds and focusing on host-mediated responses, we move beyond simplistic solutions and toward a more resilient, preventive model of nutrition. Trouw Nutrition’s commitment to developing PhytoComplexes reflects this paradigm shift — one that empowers animals not by targeting pathogens, but by strengthening their own physiological capacity to thrive. References 1. Bravo, D., Wall. E. AFMA Symposium, 2024. Integrated intelligence: How modern farm animals manifest the power of plant genius. Available on request. 2. Nutreco. Harnessing nature’s complexity to solve complex challenges in animal production. https://www. nutreco.com/en/news/harnessing-natures-complexity-to-solve-complex-challenges-in-animal-production/ 3. Feed & Additive. Nutreco celebrates launch of its Garden of the Future. https://www.feedandadditive.com/ nutreco-celebrates-launch-of-its-garden-of-the-future/ 4. Wall, E., Bravo, D. Progressive Cattle, 2024. Boost cattle performance with plant genius. Wall_ Bravo_ProgCattle2024.pdf 5. Furness, J. B. et al. Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. advance online publication, 24 September 2013; doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2013.180 About Dr. Ellen Hambrecht With a PhD from Wageningen University, the Netherlands, Ellen Hambrecht brings over 20 years of experience in the agricultural industry. Her career at Trouw Nutrition spans diverse roles in R&D, QA, Sustainability, and Global Marketing. In her current role as Global Product Manager, Ellen is responsible for Trouw Nutrition’s PhytoComplex portfolio— innovative phytotechnology-based solutions designed to harness the power of plants for a sustainable animal production. Photo: Trouw Nutrition
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==